Two weekends ago we hit up the Richmond Craft Mafia‘s Spring Bada-Bing craft show (which we told you about via this giveaway). It was similar to their Handmade Holiday event that we checked out back in December, so since that post was such a hit with you guys, we thought we’d share all of the awesomely local craft-y goodness that we happened upon during this show too. Oh, and while we didn’t leave with the bounty like we bought last year – we did purchase one of the many things we loved (times three, actually). So feel free to guess what it was as we lead you on a little craft tour de jour (and we’ll spill the beans at the end).
When we first stepped into the show space at Plant Zero, this print by Matt Butler met our eyes. Sherry immediately thought of her bacon-loving blog-compadre Katie B. I immediately thought of how I’d love to eat some bacon. We both knew the show was off to a good start.
Matt Butler is not just a spokesperson for the bacon movement, but also does a variety of hand-carved linocut prints (and painted Toms shoes!) “made with tongue firmly in cheek” (to borrow a line form his website). Although our affection for bacon hasn’t quite reached the level of a wall art declaration, we were eying this “Whale Love” print for a while.
One artist who deserved my “Why didn’t I think of that!?” award for the day was Articipe, who turns recipes into cheerful custom works of art. With my stomach now shifting from bacon- to cookie-craving mode, I started thinking of all of the people I could order a personalized version for (you provide her with the family recipe and she whips one up for you).
It’s no mystery that we like state art, so of course Jennifer Allevato‘s embroidery hoop creations caught our eyes. You can order any state from her Etsy shop if you don’t happen to live in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Nearby were some ceramic animals unlike any others we’d ever seen (and let’s be honest, we’ve seen our fair share). The Runny Bunny creates figures with mis-matched head and body combos. Garden gnome on a bird body? Check. Rabbit head on an elegant woman’s figure. Double check. Talk about a conversation piece, though! This booth had droves of people around it checking them all out the whole time. Sherry’s favorite was a cute little finch with the head of a truck. Come to think of it, I think that was Clara’s favorite too. Meanwhile, I was partial to the gentlemanly guy with a deer head.
Given our recent adventures in succulent planting, these Terrariums by Rich definitely drew us in. Just like Helen Hunt made Jack Nicholson want to be a better man, Rich makes us want to be better at planting stuff. He even put little green martians and other tiny creatures in some of them if you don’t like your terrarium to be too serious. Speaking of serious – check out how grand that one in the center is. Awesome.
Modern June showed off this cool chalkboard rooster decal, which is great inspiration for a cool twist on a traditional chalkboard.
Across the way we spotted these cool bound books using Legos from Moonlight Bindery. They had small wallet sized ones, as well as some larger ones using those big green squares that I fondly remember from my Lego-playing days.
Sherry – always a sucker for a sentimental houseware – was ooohing and ahhhing (mostly the former; lots of oohs going on) over these hand-stamped silver utensils from Milk & Honey Luxuries. Me, I lean towards the quirky forks on their website that say “nom nom nom” across the tines.
Speaking of houswares, the show wasn’t strictly art and other home stuff. There was also jewelry, clothes, and body products – like these organic soaps from Whispering Willow. As good as the soaps smelled, we also really liked how she displayed them. Wouldn’t a smaller slice of a tree trunk be a cool soap dish for your bathroom at home? You can even find them for a few bucks at the craft store – or hunt one down in your backyard.
Another fun part of the show was checking out the booths of folks we were already familiar with (either though the previous show, other events, or our earlier giveaway) and seeing some of the wares in person – like these colorful Wisdom Cards from Silver Tree Art…
… and more of the nesting bird bowls given away by Tasha McKelvey. We loved the detail that as the bowls got smaller, there was one less egg in each nest.
Last show we somehow bypassed the booth of our friend Karyn of KShonk Designs, so this time we were determined to say “Hi” (she hadn’t met Clara in person yet) and Sherry of course wanted to get all sparkle-drunk over her jewelry. We house crashed her a while back, so we’re old friends.
And it won’t come as a shock that I gravitated towards the more tongue-in-cheek jewelry of Inedible Jewelry. What man doesn’t need a pair of pork chop cuff links?
We also had fun seeing if some of our favorite booths from last time had any new stuff (or new-to-us stuff). Like Lazymuse Productions (whose cool crocheted jellyfish ornaments we previously shared). This time they had a cac-tastic display which just slightly overshadowed the funny cat toys shaped like rat heads, zombie fingers, and fortune cookies (for the knit-blood averse).
And Funnelcloud Studio had more prints that we loved. Man, maybe between these and the Matt Butler print we’re entering some sort of whale phase. Anyone know where we could find a ceramic whale to officially kick things off?
And Zou Zou’s Basement, who created the pink rabbit print that we bought to hang outside Clara’s room during the holiday craft show, had this cool Ostrich (Emu?) print that was pretty much in our favorite colors.
Sherry also had a momentary romance with this Turnerbot. While I was learning how Sarah crafts each one differently, Sherry was lost in its beady, glazed yellow eyes.
Speaking of colorful items, Sherry nearly took home one of these enameled penny necklaces from Lucky Accessories (who made the pea-pod necklaces we shared last winter).
But are you ready for the reveal of what actually came home with us? Here’s a hint, they’re in this pic:
Yup, it’s this friendly little trio of crocheted cacti from Lazymuse Productions. Do we like ’em? In the words of Sherry: faux sho.
They were $10 a piece and are bigger than this pic suggests (the middle one is around 7″ tall). We originally planned to just get one (the guy on the left) but Sherry convinced me it should be balanced by a taller one… and then continued that things look best in threes. Haha. It wasn’t too bad since we walked in saying “we’re giving ourselves a thirty dollar budget to spend” and managed to stick to it. I must admit they look pretty chipper here on the window ledge of our office. My favorite part is that they’ll never die and I’ll never clutzily knock one over and spill the dirt everywhere. Score.
Oh, and the Spring Bada-Bing isn’t the only artsy adventure we recently had in Richmond. Pop on over to Young House Life to see what else we were up to that weekend (it’s a nice juicy post for over there). Have you guys hit up any craft fairs / art shows / farmer’s markets in your area lately? Did you end up bringing anything home?
Psst- We announced the winner for this week’s giveaway. Click here to see if it’s you.
Melanie @ Mailbox Journey says
That is an amazing craft show, the ones in PA are usually pretty bland stuff.
Those terrariums are awesome!
Heather says
I agree! Have you been to Doylestown Arts Fest? That one’s not too bad :-)
Carli says
So many things about this post that are awesome! That looks like such a fun event. And those little crocheted cacti are heartbreakingly cute! :)
kristen says
I totally bought one of Jennifer Allevato’s pieces! I got Virginia with a big ole heart where Richmond is. LOVE :)
YoungHouseLove says
SO cute!
xo,
s
Ellen says
Oh, I was so sure the three things you bought were those state embroidery hoops (one for NY, one for NJ and one for VA…) but those catci are adorable. Those are the kind of plants I can keep alive!
PS. Ceramic whales: http://www.etsy.com/search?search_submit=&q=ceramic+whale&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that would have been cute with the hoops for each of our places! And amazing- you actually found ceramic whales.
xo,
s
Emily says
I was also guessing the 3 things you bought were the NY, NJ, and VA embroidery hoops!
Mandi says
What a small world! I am not local (Florida!) but I have been using Whispering Willow’s shampoo bar exclusively for over a year now!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I love that. It really is a teeny tiny world.
xo,
s
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
What a fun craft show! I like how diverse the selection was and I love what you took home. If I had been there, I may have grabbed that emu print and an articipe !
Courtney says
Looks like a fun show! Especially since it was in a such a neat place. I love Plant Zero. Maybe because our wedding reception was there!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I love it there!
xo,
s
Lisa@ wanderdownpennylane says
Richmond is such a treasure for local art and crafts! I need more faux plants in my life.
ps: I took the plunge and tried frosting our bathroom window last night. Thanks for the tips and pics. They definitely helped. So far, I love it!
http://wanderdownpennylane.blogspot.com/2012/04/frost-yourself.html
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Looks like you did an awesome job!
xo,
s
Ashley W says
Ahh! I wanted those so badly! I should’ve made the drive from Norfolk! :( I wanted them because we’re originally from Arizona and it would have been like a little piece of home… so jealous. Guess I’ll have to get them on Etsy.
Nicole says
dang, i got it wrong. i pegged you for the prints in the articipe pic :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s a good guess! We’re actually thinking about getting them for someone we love!
xo,
s
Allyn says
I love this stuff! Especially the Runny Bunny stuff. Might be ordering some today…
Or the bacon art. Because who doesn’t love bacon?!
Dana P. says
AHHH!! That’s where I had my wedding reception!! :) Fun!
YoungHouseLove says
Plant Zero is so awesome!
xo,
s
etcetera says
HA! i didn’t even finish scrolling to the bottom of your post b/c i was so hooked on those crochet cacti. i immediately went over to the etsy shop to order – requesting a little ensemble of 3 cacti. then came back and finish you post… et voila! those are too cute. and remind me of the fabric/paper cacti that are currently all over the Anthro stores. love em.
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I loe it!
xo,
s
Alissa says
Ceramic whale bank on eBay – $6. :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CERAMIC-BISQUE-WHALE-BANK-/120873850316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c24a495cc
YoungHouseLove says
Haha – cute!
xo,
s
Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says
Thought those cactuses were real in the first pic. Really cute. Brings a smile on to your face when you realize that they aren’t real. Yup, there is no way anyone is killing those lil guys. :)
Rad Designing says
Ha! I flipped out when i saw those cute lil cacti! Glad you grabbed a few of them. So cute!
Krystle @ ColorTansformedFamily says
That was an amazing arts and crafts show. I would have spent way too much money there. I love the custom recipe prints! It would make a great mother’s day present.
JenB says
I’m amazed at your self-control! You said that you set a budget before you went in, which is smart, smart. Do you always do that when going to shows like this? What if you see a piece of art or something larger that is a MUST buy?
YoungHouseLove says
We try to set a budget beforehand, just so we don’t go crazy and walk out with our arms overloaded. Since last time was our first visit there, we spent a bit more, so this time we wanted to keep it down. Haha. It was hard with so much awesome stuff, but we just tried to pick our favorite thing and know that there would always be another show (or we could go to their websites) if we were really dying for something else!
xo,
s
Amy B says
Love love LOVE those Articipe prints! We have many family recipes that have been passed down for generations and this would be a beautiful way to display them or give as a gift to my grandmother! This event looks amazing, I might have to talk my hubby into a little road trip to Richmond next year to check it out =)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, they have two a year (a holiday one and a spring one) so you might not have to wait too long- just until Nov/Dec I think!
xo,
s
Lindsay B says
Lots of fun, pretty things! I’m in love with the Matt Butler prints. I think I’m going to have to get the plaid elephant on his Etsy page. So original and cute!
Jo says
I think the link for Terrariums by Rich might be off a bit. Both links in that section point to your What Up, Succa (4/3/2012) posting. Can you send us a Terrariums by Rich link? I have to see more of these!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry! Off to fix that!
xo,
s
Meredith says
Ahhh! There was a craft show recently in Durham, NC and my husband loved the bacon print so much he got it. It is in our rental kitchen right now. Don’t know if we will keep in our future kitchen forever, but it’s fun.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so funny!
xo,
s
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
I think every pic I was going “Oooh!” “Look at THAT!” “So COOOOL!” and the Mr thinks “why did I choose today to telework?”
The cacti are AWESOME! Totally agree…better in three’s. ;)
Sasha says
So glad you found Jennifer Allevato! Her ironic mustache owls are my favorite. (I have 3 hanging in my office)
Jen is such a sweet, talented, and creative lady. It has been fun to watch her grow her business and she puts her heart and soul into her crafts.
Thanks John and Sherry!
Nupur says
LOVE those crochet cacti (and funny thing is I spotted patterns for those just yesterday- I’m a crocheter and want to make them for my office friends).
The embroidery hoops and the art recipes are my other two favorites.
Ashleigh says
OMG I loved the blue stag head on a man, do they ship to the UK? No idea where I would put it but right now I NEED IT!! xox
YoungHouseLove says
I have no idea where folks ship, but maybe try clicking over to their sites to see? We loved that whole booth so much! Haha.
xo,
s
Emma says
I love your knitted cacti! Those and the birdy bowls were my faves. What a young/modern craft fair. I gotta find me one of those in Maryland.
christine says
Love love love the cacti! Too funny! What a good buy :)
Liz R. says
I don’t know how you didn’t leave there in debt. I’m so happy you saw the state embroidery hoops. I’ve been looking for something round to hang in the picture gallery I’m putting together for our nursery but didn’t see those in my embroidery searches on etsy. I’ll be picking one of those up!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that sounds so cute! Send pics! And good luck with the nursery!
xo,
s
Heather says
I love me some crafts shows. This one is awesome and I probably would have had no restraint and come home with way too many stuffed cacti. I wish we had one like that around us!
Laura says
Hey you two!
Any idea if they’ll do a summer one? I worked until 6 that night and didn’t get to go!! I was hoping you all would have the inside scoop!!
YoungHouseLove says
I think they do two a year (holiday and spring). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
sharon says
glad that we down here in raleigh could loan some of our best handcraftery up there for the show! many of those artists that you showcase show both in richmond & here in raleigh with the handmaidens at the handmade market at least twice yearly (“because mall is a four letter word”). some link love for some of them which are local to the VA & NC areas usually:
http://www.thehandmademarket.com/
thanks for the reminder about some of these artists because i’ve been scouring etsy for both a state-inspired wedding gift for an upcoming wedding & trying to find something cool & animal-related for my husband’s upcoming graduation for his doctorate in zoology. off to browse some of these links for more ideas!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
Amy in PA says
My thought when I saw those catcus plants? I want those!! Great choice, although it doesn’t look like you could have gone wrong there!! Have a great weekend!
Brenda says
So many fun things! I want to try making my own crochet cacti now. And that bacon print is hilarious. :)
Amanda says
I want that Alligator and Whale print! Would be perfect for my son’s bathroom. I went to their etsy page and couldnt find it though (sadface)
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe try sending her a message to see if she could make a listing for you? Her name is Rachel and she helped make a custom listing for me last winter when I wanted to get a Virginia ornament for my mom for Christmas.
-John
Joy Franks says
Here’s a link to our local Whale Museum’s gift shop. All sales support the museum and research. We have 3 resident pods of orcas, fish eaters, with various transient orcas, mammal eaters, coming through our waters. They have a small, plush orca that makes authentic orca sounds when squeezed. Every child should have one! https://www.whalemuseumstore.org/?orcashop
YoungHouseLove says
So cool! I kinda want to go visit your museum now.
-John
Meredith says
These posts are dangerous for me…I may have just bought some enameled penny earrings. So fun!
Ruthie says
Oh the terrariums! Melt my heart. That has been on my DIY project list for a while now. I’m secretly hoping it’s on yours too so I can have a tutorial!
Christa @ a*typicaljourney says
I vote for this whale. It’s what I would buy if I were collecting ceramic whales… (however, I’m more tempted by the Owl spoon rest in the same shop)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62862771/whale-toothpick-holder-in-white?ref=sr_gallery_24&ga_search_query=ceramic+whale&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=handmade
Thanks for sharing all the cute stuff! I’m scoping out every single Etsy shop!
YoungHouseLove says
He is cute!
xo,
s
Mollee says
I came home from Spring Bada-Bing with a crocheted cactus, too! I got the taller one from your trio, and now I just might have to order some friends for it.
I also snagged one of Jennifer Allevato’s embroidery hoops that you photographed. It’s the one with the green Virginia and the red heart on the green and red-flowered fabric. I’m going to give it to a friend who recently moved from Midlothian to Frederick, Maryland, when I go to visit her next month. Hopefully she isn’t reading this, haha.
YoungHouseLove says
Great gift idea! And if she is, hopefully she’ll just assume it’s another Mollee with a friend who just transplanted to Frederick. :)
-John
Whitney says
I live in Richmond and never find out about these events until they’re over. Can you please tell me how you find out about the art/craft shows? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
We learned about the first one just because we knew a friend in the show, so it’s kept us plugged into the Richmond Craft Mafia ever since. But one source I LOVE in terms of staying “in the know” about cool event is RVA News. They do a feature every Thursday called “5 Things” and it’s just a list of five cool events happening in the city that weekend. Here’s a link to the one for this weekend: =http://rvanews.com/features/5-things-168/59629 I’ve signed up for their weekly email that comes Friday mornings with a rundown of that week’s headlines.
-John
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
:) That looks like a blast! I wonder if the Dallas area has any shows like that??
johnna says
heading to richmond this weekend…anything i HAVE to see!?!? i manage a consignment store and am ALWAYS in the market for unique home goods & deals/steals!! xoxo
johnna
YoungHouseLove says
This post should help you out! https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/02/five-richmond-top-fives/ Enjoy your trip!
-John
Heather says
Oh wow! I’m so glad that I got to meet you both and that my cacti now have such a wonderful new family to live with! Thanks to your wonderful post, many more cacti have been adopted today. It really makes my day when I hear or read about the positive and amusing reactions people have to my work! Thanks!
Heather
Lazymuse
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so glad Heather! That’s awesome! I think every home deserves at least one faux cacti! Haha.
xo,
s
Jess says
Love your choice! I feel like making some crochet cacti for my sons’ room now. =) I’m eyeing those embroidery hoops- they’re so fun and happy! Thanks for the great post.
rachel says
Thank you for all of your hard work- I love your blog! Here’s a link to an art festival that is taking place at Byrd Park (near Maymont) next weekend, 5/5 and 5/6.
http://www.richmondartsinthepark.com/
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Thanks for the link!
xo
s
Kitty says
We went to our local market yesterday and I got three gorgeous prints by http://www.rosamariaart.co.uk, one for the bedroom when we re-do that and two cat ones to symbolise our two kitties. I’m not sure where I’m going to put the cat ones as we have a couple of bare walls at the moment so I’m waiting to see what jumps out at me.
I was just saying to my friend how I wish there was a craft fair like that where I live; we’d have a blast going through it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, those prints sound so cute!
xo,
s
Kim says
Oooooh, fun! Thanks for sharing your finds. I have a serious weakness for jewelry and I love buying necklaces at craft shows. The enameled penny necklaces you guys saw remind me of a necklace my parents bought for me recently at a craft show from this guy: http://www.paintedcoins.com/ He does great work and you can even get a Virginia state quarter necklace or cufflinks!
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow that’s awesome!
xo,
s
Katie Rose says
Everything looks awesome! I have actually had my eye on getting a custom Articipe print for my cousin. She just moved into her first new place and her guacamole is to die for. Perfect housewarming gift, no? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Totally!
xo,
s
Lori says
I went to high school with Karyn Shonk! So funny to read about her on your blog…small world!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! She’s so nice! And her hubby Eric is a close friend of our family!
xo
s
Karyn says
I just saw this post in looking up Craft Mafia stuff. John and Sherry…you rock! Hey Lori!!! Totally small world!